Summary
The variability of δ13C values was measured in leaf, stem and root tissues of several tree species growing in closed natural and plantation forests in the Luquillo mountains of Puerto Rico. Results confirm a significant decrease of δ13C values from the tree canopy to the forest floor. The values measured in understory plants growing in gaps were not significantly different from the average for plants growing under the forest shade. Seedling leaf values tended to be more positive than those of saplings, probably reflecting the contribution of organic matter from the mother tree. Photosynthetic independence on the forest floor results in a reduction in °13C value. Stem and root tissue values of seedlings and saplings were less negative than those of the leaves of the same plants. It is suggested that this difference results from the slower change in isotopic composition experienced by the woody tissue, as the seedlings become photosynthetically independent in the forest floor.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Briscoe CB, Wadsworth FH (1970) Stand structure and yield in the Tabonuco forest of Puerto Rico. In: Odum HT and Pigeon RF (eds) A Tropical Rain Forest. Chapter B-6. B79-B89. Division of Technical Information, US Atomic Energy Commission, Oak Ridge
Ehleringer JR, Field CB, Lin Z, Kuo C (1986) Leaf carbon isotope and mineral composition in subtropical plants along an irradiance cline. Oecologia 70:520–526
Ehleringer JR, Comstock JP, Cooper TA (1987) Leaf-twig carbon isotope ratio differences in photosynthetic-twig desert shrubs. Oecologia 71:318–320
Farquhar GD, O'Leary MH, Berry JA (1982) On the relationship between carbon isotope discrimination and the intercellular carbon dioxide concentration in leaves. Aust J Plant Physiol 9:121–137
Francey RJ, Gifford RM, Sharkey TD, Weir B (1985) Physiological influences on carbon isotope discrimination in huon pine. Oecologia 66:211–218
Kramer PJ, Kozlowski TT (1979) Physiology of woody plants. Academic Press. New York
Leavitt SW, Long A (1986) Stable-carbon isotope variability in tree foliage and wood. Ecology 67:1002–1010
Marrero J (1948) Forest planting in the Caribbean National Forest, past experience as a guide for the future. Caribb For 9:85–123
Medina E, Minchin P (1980) Stratification of °13C values in Amazonian forests. Oecologia 45:377–378
Medina E, Montes G, Cuevas E, Rokcsandic Z (1986) Profiles of CO2 concentration and °13C values in tropical rain forests of the Upper Rio Negro basin, Venezuela. J Trop Ecol 2:207–217
Merwe NJ van der, Medina E (1989) Photosynthesis and13C/12C ratios in Amazonian rain forests. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 53:1091–1094
Odum HT, Pigeon RF (eds) (1970) A Tropical Rain Forest. Division of Technical Information. US Atomic Energy Commission. Oak Ridge
Pérez-Viera I (1986) Tree regeneration in two tropical rain forests. M Sc Thesis, University of Puerto Rico. Rio Piedras, P.R.
Preston JF, Phillips FJ (1911) Seasonal variation in the food reserve of trees. Forest Quart 9:232–243
Schlesser GH (1990) Investigations of the °13C pattern in leaves ofFagus sylvatica L. J Exp Bot 41:565–572
Sternberg LSL, Mulkey SS, Wright JS (1989) Ecological interpretation of leaf carbon isotope ratios: influence of respired carbon dioxide. Ecology 70:1317–1324
Vogel J (1978) Recycling of carbon in a forest environment. Oecol Plant 13:89–94
Ziegler H (1979) Diskriminierung von Kohlenstoff- und Wasserstoffisotopen: Zusammenhänge mit dem Photosynthese-mechanismus und den Standortbedingungen. Ber Dtsch Bot Ges 92:169–184
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Medina, E., Sternberg, L. & Cuevas, E. Vertical stratification of °13C values in closed natural and plantation forests in the Luquillo mountains, Puerto Rico. Oecologia 87, 369–372 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00634593
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00634593